Stay In Your Lane

One of the phrases of recent years, that invites folks to focus on their area, is “stay in your lane”. It has the connotation of driving along a road, yet without that context. It instead is meant to admonish those who extend outside of their normal boundaries – even when (especially when!) they know better.

Often, it comes when someone lacks the skill or ability to engage where they are trying to; or when they are ignoring the parameters that have been set for them. What is generally not lacking in these circumstances, however, is an overdeveloped confidence.

I was thinking about the phrase last week when I headed out snowshoeing; I had decided to go alongside the track that the nordic ski club had set at a local golf course. I say “alongside” intentionally – following the request of the ski club (and common sense), I kept off the ski tracks, as I know that snowshoes can cause harm to the groomed trails – and therefore create unnecessary problems for the skiers.

So I trekked out; beside the ski trails, making tracks of my own. Several skiers passed me, there were plenty of friendly ‘hello’s and smiles. Everyone stayed in their lane; everyone had a good day out.

Staying in our lane in other areas of life can also be beneficial; a healthy humility and self-awareness can keep us exercising our ministry in ways that are helpful, healthy, and fruitful to what we have been called to. When we veer into others’ lanes, like traipsing over a groomed ski trail, we can cause damage to the ministry of others; overstepping into someone else’s lane (even with the best of intentions) denies them their ministry.

Our lanes are there; and we all have them. God is always calling us onward, giving us opportunities to go and grow and serve. God is also always reminding us that we are accompanied on our journeys by the others in our lives – who are following their own lanes.

May God grant us discernment and wisdom to stay in our lanes!

A LOTtle

 

Last week, we had a foggy day. Ice fog usually means hoarfrost, where everything gets coated with a sheen of moisture, resulting in gorgeous sparkling when the sun shines.

It doesn’t take much; a slightly higher than average humidity leads to trees covered in diamond-like brilliance. With fog in winter, a little humidity means a lot of beauty.

Likewise, we can reflect on how in our lives, some little thing can become significant to us.

A small gesture of kindness can brighten a dull day; a small act of compassion can encourage in the midst of struggle. A friend making time to listen when we need a shoulder to lean on; a small note of thanks acknowledging our efforts – it all adds up.

On this Freedom Sunday, when we commit to fighting against the scourge of Human Trafficking, a little education can help us to recognise when evil is in our midst; a little courage can help liberate someone who is trapped.

Whatever our context, every small action has the potential to make the world a better place.

Our faith inspires us to love God and love each other; and there is no loving action that is too small to matter. Each small act of love may be an answer to someone else’s prayer; and every connection opens a door to a potential relationship.

As we enter another week, let’s celebrate every little thing that is done in love: it means a lot.

“Rabbi Tarfon would say:
You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do justly, now.
Love mercy, now.
Walk humbly, now."
(Quoted in Wisdom of the Jewish Sages by Rabbi Rami Shapiro)

Oversharing

Emblem of the 2026 Winter Olympics; Public Domain

I have not been watching the Olympics very much this week; but I have been watching some ‘highlight reels’ – and wow, there have been some fascinating things happening!
The ‘chirping’ at the curling events was unusual (especially with multiple claims of double touching by Canadians?!); the accomplishments of all of the athletes is inspiring a new generation of athletes (hello Gilles and Poirier!); the supporters have been amazing (who will forget Maia Schwinghammer’s father going viral); and really, no one quite knew how to react to the suggestion of the ski jumpers’ injected …enhancements. (Other than “ICK!”)

One of the standout moments, however, came from the unlikely interview with a Norwegian bronze-medal winner, who used his interview to lament his recent infidelity to his ex-girlfriend. Reports indicate she was less than pleased with his public revelation, and he went on to further apologise for his indiscretion about their personal issues. (Fortunately, the media have respected her wish for anonymity)

Oversharing is a reality in our world; and usually something that is a reaction (not a response), that’s clearly not been though through. It can violate boundaries, create awkwardness and discomfort, and can lead to damaged relationships and reputations in future.

The consequences of oversharing don’t have to be extreme to be perceived as negative. Even the best of intentions can be quashed by someone’s revelations that are untimely or inappropriate. Context matters!

As people of faith, we are invited to be circumspect in what, and how, we share. We are certainly called to share our faith, but to practice discretion and wisdom in how we do this. We are stewards of our personal lives; and when the time is right, we can focus on appropriate sharing within our community. If we ignore boundaries, however, we may inadvertently push people away, thus defeating our intention and our calling.

When we rely on our spiritual maturity and attentiveness, we understand the benefits of sharing with purpose (consider the advice of Ephesians 4.29: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear; or Proverbs 12.18: Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.)

May God keep our sharing to be for the building up of community; may the Spirit hold our tongues before we overshare!

Not-So-Super Bowl

Like most major sporting and entertainment events, there is always more happening than just the game on the field/ice/stadium/whatever. There are half-time shows, parties, tailgating, the list goes on.

Unfortunately, large events like this are also notorious for illicit actions as well. Human trafficking rates are known to rise substantially at large events; and while increased awareness initiatives and more careful policing does help to curb some of this evil, it still happens.

Anywhere and anytime that thousands of people are in one location, some/many of whom may be impaired, others who may personally profit from turning a blind eye – it’s a forum for the commercialisation of humanity.

A horrifying fact of human trafficking is that it is a by-demand system – meaning that before a human is trafficked, someone has already paid for that human to be trafficked. Unlike other exchanges, traffickers do not have ability or inclination to maintain surplus supply.

While the majority of people who are trafficked are enslaved in sex trafficking, there are also a large number who are targeted for labour trafficking. Globally, there are an estimated 28 million people trapped in human trafficking any day.

In Canada, February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Here in Saskatoon, there will be a flag-raising, solemn walk, and panel discussion about the realities of human trafficking in our midst (February 20, beginning at City Hall). We may not be the Super Bowl, but this darkness creeps across every community.

The good news is that we are making a difference: by shining the light into the darkness, by refusing to look away when it becomes painful or awkward; by doing what we can to re-affirm the dignity and rights of every human being.

This is modern-day slavery; and as Christians we are called to stand against this commodification and exploitation of our kin. We can do this through education and advocacy; learning about what human trafficking looks like in our own contexts, and committing to respect the dignity of all – praying for those who are trapped, survivors, and for those who work with them. We pray, too, for those who engage in illicit acts, and for the traffickers – that God may turn their hearts.

May God give us the strength and courage to be informed advocates for justice.

Isa. 61.1-2 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.

Reflections from the Dog Park

At a trip to the dog park this week, Comet discovered a stick that was frozen in the ground. Try as she might, she was unable to dig it up and chew it apart.

After consulting with some of her doggy friends, she found another stick – this one, however, was already in the mouth of another dog – who was not inclined to share.

A few zoomies later, she found a stick just lying on the ground. A BIG stick. A log, really; so large that she could not pick it up. She was able to drag it a little, and tried to keep it away from the others, but it was simple too much for her.

Eventually she gave up, and the dogs all returned to chasing and frolicking sans sticks.

Despite the adorable nature of a dog’s life, her stick adventures can be revealing.

Sometimes, what we want may be just below the surface: yet still inaccessible to us – and we simply have to move on. For if we get stuck with something unavailable, we’ll miss out on other opportunities right in front of us.

Sometimes, what we want is already being used by someone else. It can be frustrating, but we’re not always meant to have whatever we want. And, from a justice perspective, our practice of self-control and self-minimalising means others can have their enjoyment as well. We all deserve to be happy, and stealing someone else’s stick can cause substantial issues and broken relationships.

Sometimes, what we think we want is just too much; and biting off more than we can chew can leave us unsatisfied, exhausted, and annoyed. Whether it’s filling our calendars too fill, or focusing on something that really is beyond our scope, we can’t do everything by ourselves. Unless we build our community and set ourselves realistic expectations, we are bound to be disappointed.

At times, there will be the right stick for the right time. And we will find a use for that stick, and ways to engage with others to ideally build up our community. It can take discernment to figure out what to do with something we find or are presented with, and it may not happen in our expectation. But I believe there’s always the right stick – and I pray we’re all wise enough to find it when it will lead to joy.

Updated

Sermon preparation processes look different for each preacher, and often fluctuate from week to week. Sometimes, the final form of my sermons are scripted and presented from a written document.

When this happens, I often use my iPad to bring that up. I can adjust the size, the colour, etc., to show where I wish to make my offering of a sermon.

Part of my preparations, when I am using said device, is to ensure the tablet is fully charged, and in my bag the night before, often with the sermon text already called up on the screen. On Sunday mornings, I usually test the device prior to the early service, and also have my phone in the prayer desk in the highly unlikely event that the iPad simply does not function.

Last Sunday, I was quite surprised when, after proclaiming the Gospel and opening the iPad, I was greeted with the words “Updating”…

For what it’s worth, that word was not part of the sermon!

The system needed several updates, and after it had done them, it wanted to walk me through all the changes – before I could use the device.

In the moment, frustrated, I just chose to collect my phone and use that for our worship time. (Fortunately, in the time between services, I was able to get my iPad to the point that it showed the sermon.)

For me, this was a reminder that sometimes, we all need to update.
Our minds, our bodies, our spirits: we benefit when we tend to ourselves, checking in on what might be signs that it’s time for an update.
And so often, we have reminders for ourselves...
Should I read some non-fiction? My mind says yes when I realise I’ve spent more time in novels (or scrolling) lately.
Should I call a friend? Absolutely – what a great way to boost my mood!
Should I drink more water? My body says yes; hand lotion only goes so far.
Should I go for a walk (even in -30)? My dog says yes; enthusiastically!

We do our best to be in tune with the hints we receive for our minds and bodies; and then we do our best to respond to those.
But when was the last time we were intentional about a spiritual updating? Do we read scripture daily? Study it, and pray?
In addition to our personal petitions, do we pray intercessions for the world, recognising our connections beyond ourselves?
Do we discern, in prayer and in community, how God is calling into action, to be the loved and loving people we were made to be?

There’s always room for improvement, of course; perhaps my iPad last week was reminding me of the opportunity to do my own updates before they became so urgent that nothing else could be done before they’d been tended to…

Perhaps my prayer this week is for the wisdom to do my own updates, and to prioritise them on a regular basis.

Nice and/or Kind

I recently had a conversation with someone who suggested that if everyone would just “be nice” then the world could be a better place.
On the surface, I could understand, I suggested to my friend that perhaps we should focus on being kind.

She and I then spent some time defining the distinction between the two (which, admittedly, can easily overlap!)

Nice is defined as pleasant and agreeable.
Kind is an adjective meaning a demonstration of friendly or considerate nature.

I proposed that being nice happens when people choose not only to avoid ‘rocking the boat’ but who at times will go to countermeasures when other factors are causing such rocking. And that ultimately, that’s not always the healthiest way forward.
Kindness, on the other hand, is meant for the betterment of a situation, whether it’s what’s wanted to be heard or not.

An example: if a friend asks my advice on an outfit, and it’s not flattering or appropriate, it would be nice to just say “that’s nice” or something agreeable. But, allowing a friend to wear an something objectionable or ill-suited to the event would not actually be kind.
A kind response would need to be just that – kind: perhaps complimenting the colour but suggesting a different style might be better suited to the event, and in fact allow the friend to better shine at the event.

I think a true friend would prefer the best for their friend, and so would prefer kindness: it increases genuine concern and care for one another.

In today’s political climate, I think our faith encourages us to find ways to be kind. Even when we have differences, we can look for ways to build one another up, support one another, empower and encourage each other in ways that are for the benefit of all. If we’re just nice, especially in the face of adversity, we may experience diminished credibility in all we do.

It can be a challenge to find ways to be kind, and certainly ‘being nice’ can feel easier at the time, but God calls us to be authentic in how we move forward. May our faith guide our pathways, where kindness flourishes.